Chennai: Double-decker buses are set to return to Chennai after a gap of more than 17 years. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) plans to induct 20 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses as part of its fleet electrification program.
The MTC issued a tender on Thursday. These buses will be purchased under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. A pre-bid meeting for interested bidders is scheduled for January 13th at 3 p.m. Under the GCC model, the selected contractor will own, operate, and maintain the buses, while the MTC will pay based solely on kilometers. However, fares and revenue collection will remain with the MTC.
Services on Safe and Select Routes Only
This initiative will promote modern and sustainable public transport in the city and is already generating enthusiasm among the public. Recently, an electric double-decker bus manufactured by Switch Mobility was spotted on Chennai streets, and photos and videos quickly went viral on social media.
Officials clarified that the proposed buses will not operate throughout the city. Due to the high height of double-decker buses, it is unsafe to operate them on routes with low bridges, overhead power lines, flyovers, or other structural obstacles. Therefore, services will be limited to only those safety- and infrastructure-enabled routes.
Chennai’s initiative follows those of other cities in the country
This initiative connects Chennai with similar projects in other cities in India. In January 2023, Mumbai launched the country’s first air-conditioned electric double-decker buses. Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar have also launched such services in recent years. Thiruvananthapuram operates open-top double-decker buses primarily for tourism.
All 20 buses proposed for Chennai will be designed, developed, and manufactured by a private company. The company also conducted a trial run of an electric double-decker bus in the city in August 2023. Previously, the Transport Minister had announced that the feasibility of operating double-decker buses, especially on tourist routes, would be studied.
Attempts to revive an old legacy in an electric avatar
Chennai has a long history with double-decker buses, dating back to the 1970s. Although they were discontinued in 1980, the buses briefly returned in 1997, operating on the High Court-Tambaram route until 2008, before being discontinued again. According to officials, this new proposal aims to revive this historic legacy in a cleaner, more passenger-friendly electric form.